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<br />, <br /> <br />,~u\., , <br />The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment standard for aquatic life: .' ;,.' . <br /> <br />which pertains to both Class I and Class II streams, is 17 micrograms/liter dissolved <br /> <br />selenium. The EPA Storet data set had 24 values collected from 1990 through 1992 <br /> <br />for the Fowler location. The mean value was 10.6 micrograms/liter with some <br /> <br />readings approaching the state standards. The data shows the levels of dissolved <br /> <br />selenium are high, and on occasion, are exceeding the aquatic life standard. This <br /> <br />could adversely affect substantial wildlife habitat of the area. The increase in <br /> <br />dissolved selenium Is similar to total selenium concentration trends. <br /> <br />Salinity is another serious oroblem for water quality flreeloFR in the Arkansas Valley. <br /> <br />There are ~3 important factors in the salinity problem: salt pick up.m, <br /> <br />concentration, and the management of water, soils, and crops. This project is not <br /> <br />formulated to reduce salinity since no standards exist~, -hlolowever, it is desirable to <br /> <br />control salt loading. High salt levels will remain as long as the water is used. The <br /> <br />greatest potential for reducing salinity is blLthrel;lflh more effectively USli~ water <br />throughout the valley. <br /> <br />Irrigation water diverted at Nepesta has a mean Total Dissolved Soliqs tTDSl of 600 <br /> <br />milligrams/liter (obtained from USGS records). The mean TDS in the Arkansas River <br /> <br />at La Junta, which is just below the project area, is 807 milligrams/liter for the <br /> <br />Arkansas River. The TDS levels are therefore increasing downstream due to <br /> <br />concentrations of salt in the remaining water. No TDS standards have been set for <br /> <br />Colorado~T however, TDS levels of 500 is deemed desirable and below 1,000 is <br /> <br />~ii5 <br /> <br />i <br />i... <br />